This thesis contains empirical findings on rural energy, forest resource use and fuel saving technologies in Ethiopia. Using a household survey data conducted in different parts of the country, efforts were made to contribute to the limited empirical evidences in Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular. The thesis has four empirical chapters and the first and the last chapters of the thesis are the introduction and summary, respectively. The main findings and policy implications are highlighted below. The second chapter examines the coping mechanisms of rural households to fuel wood scarcity. Using randomly selected households, the results of the empirical analysis show that rural households residing in forest degraded areas respond to fuel wood shortages by increasing their labor input to fuel wood collection. The study also finds that there is no evidence for the substitution between fuel wood and dung or fuel wood and crop residues. Supply side strategies alone may not be effective in addressing the problem of forest degradation and biodiversity losses. Any policy on natural resource management in general and rural energy problems in particular should make a distinction between regions of different forest degradation level. The third chapter examines the relationship between property rights and household demand for fuel wood, as measured by the source from which fuel wood is collected. Results from the discrete choice model indicate that active local-level institutions reduce the dependency on community forests, but, otherwise, increase household dependency on open access forests. However, land tenure security and local level institutions do not increase demand for fuel wood collected from private forests. The results suggest that there is a need to bring more open access forests under the management of the community and increase the quality of community forestry management in order to realize improvements in forest conservation. The fourth chapter of this thesis deals with finding empirical evidence on the role of local level institutions and property right regimes on forest dependency using data from a random sample of rural households in Ethiopia. We find that forest dependency is negatively correlated to the wealth status of the household. Our estimation results suggest that local level institutions are not significant factors in determining use of non wood forest products unlike major forest products such as timber or woody materials in general. We also find that there is a need to expand the current practice of participatory forest management to other open access forest areas. We conclude that generalization on the forest-poverty link depends on the type of forest management and the specific characteristics that prevail in the area. The last chapter of the thesis deals with finding empirical evidence on the determinants of adoption of different types of fuel saving technologies in urban Ethiopia. The duration analysis suggests that adoption rates have been increasing over time, that income and wealth are important contributors to adoption, and that substitute technologies tend to hinder adoption of Lakech charcoal stove. However, it was not possible to consider prices or perceptions related to either the technologies or biomass availability in the duration models, and, therefore, further research is needed in order to further inform policy with respect to household technology adoption decisions. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Economics / unrestricted

Millions of dollars are collected through Mississippi’s timber severance tax every year which then funds the Forest Resource Development Program (FRDP). This study analyzed their contributions to Mississippi’s economy and found that the total possible contribution was estimated to be $6.0 million in industrial output and 222 full-time and part-time jobs in 2019. However, only about 70 percent of the FRDP funds were expended in that year, and the actual contribution was short by $1.80 million in output and 80 full-time and part-time jobs. This study also examined the impact of the severance tax and FRDP on forest investment, using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS). Results suggest that participation in the program is the most important factor to increase the returns from forest investment and the incentives offered by the program are more important for some landowners than others.

abstract: Deforestation is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh, leaving the country under a great threat of losing its natural habitat. The increasing rate of natural habitat loss has raised questions regarding the country’s forest resource management practices. These practices were originally adopted to protect the forest ecosystem and secure the livelihood of the people dependent on forest resources. Despite the support from development partners like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the country is still struggling to protect its forest resources from human encroachment. One of the major problems is the lack of inconclusiveness in current approaches. Most initiatives are not evidence-based and are project-based for only a certain period of time. This has failed to ensure sustainable outcomes. This study looks at Bangladesh’s Himchari National Park forest management system to generate evidence regarding deforestation from 1991-2018 and highlight existing gaps. To identify and analyze the gaps, the study uses a social-ecological system (SES) lens. Results reveal deforestation across different time periods, articulates the overall governance structure regarding forest resource management, and provides an overview of the major gaps within the system. The study also offers a set of recommendations for improving the existing management system and policy implications. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Urban and Environmental Planning 2020

O presente estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar a composição da regeneração natural, da chuva e do banco de sementes presentes sob a copa de três espécies de início de sucessão - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) -, bem como avaliar as possíveis diferenças entre as comunidades que se formaram sob estas espécies. Tal estudo foi desenvolvido em uma área de mata restaurada, localizada no entorno da represa de abastecimento público do município de Iracemápolis (SP). Para tanto, foram marcados 15 indivíduos de cada espécie, sob os quais foram instalados dois coletores de sementes (1 m2 cada), de onde se coletou todos os propágulos depositados por um período de um ano, em coletas mensais. Sob cada um destes 45 indivíduos foi retirada uma amostra de solo (0,5 m x 0,5 m x 0,05 m), que foi posta a pleno sol, por oito semanas, para a avaliação da composição do banco de sementes. A regeneração natural foi avaliada na área de projeção das copas, em uma parcela circular de 2,5 m de raio, na qual se amostraram todos os indivíduos de espécies arbustivo-arbóreas de 0,3 m a 2,0 m de altura. A chuva de sementes sob M. azedarach apresentou-se com maior densidade e sob C. myxa com maior riqueza (p < 0,05). Igualmente, a maior densidade de emergentes do banco de sementes foi observada nas amostras sob M. azedarach e a maior riqueza foi observada sob C. myxa. Quanto à regeneração natural, as comunidades sob as três espécies diferenciaram-se em relação à diversidade de espécies, maior sob os indivíduos de M. azedarach, e à estrutura da comunidade, que se apresentou mais alta sob C. myxa (p < 0,05). A maior parte dos indivíduos e espécies amostradas, tanto na chuva quanto no banco e na regeneração natural, pertencem aos estágios iniciais da sucessão secundária, sendo que muitas, dentre as mais abundantes, são exóticas. As três espécies formam nichos de regeneração, permitindo a germinação e desenvolvimento de plântulas sob elas, influenciando, cada uma, na estrutura e composição das comunidades e contribuindo para a manutenção da diversidade. Por fim, alguns resultados obtidos através deste estudo são importantes para planejamento do monitoramento da área, o qual é fundamental para o emprego de medidas de intervenção, bem como para o entendimento da evolução da floresta que se forma. / The present study describes the composition of natural regeneration, seed rain and seed bank under three early species - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) - and evaluatuation of the possible differences among understory regeneration. The study area, a restored area, is located at the margins of city water reservatory at Iracemápolis (SP). For the study, 15 individuals were selected and under their crown the seed rain was monthly sampled through of the material deposited in 90 1 m x 1 m traps (two by individual). The seed bank was evaluated by 45 soil samples removed from 0,5 m x 0,5 m plots and 5 cm depth, placed under full sun for a period of eight weeks. The natural regeneration was evaluated in circular plots (17 m2), under projection of the crown , where all individuals of timber species, between 0,3 m and 2,0 m tall, were counted and identified. The seed rain under M. azedarach showed higher mean density and under C. myxa higher mean number of species (p < 0,05). Identically, the higher density of seedlings was found in soil samples under M. azedarach and higher number of species under C. myxa. For natural regeneration, the communities showed differences in species diversity, being higher under individuals of M. azedarach, and structure, under individuals of C. myxa was found higher number of seedlings (p < 0,05). The majority of individuals and species sampled is from early secondary succession species, and those species, most of them are exotics. The three species create microsites, allowing the seed germination and growth of seedling under their crowns, acting on community structure and contributing for the maintenance of diversity. Some results obtained in this study are important for projection of monitoring of this restored area, which is fundamental for intervention actions, as well as to the understanding of evolution of the forest under formation.

O presente estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar a composição da regeneração natural, da chuva e do banco de sementes presentes sob a copa de três espécies de início de sucessão - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) -, bem como avaliar as possíveis diferenças entre as comunidades que se formaram sob estas espécies. Tal estudo foi desenvolvido em uma área de mata restaurada, localizada no entorno da represa de abastecimento público do município de Iracemápolis (SP). Para tanto, foram marcados 15 indivíduos de cada espécie, sob os quais foram instalados dois coletores de sementes (1 m2 cada), de onde se coletou todos os propágulos depositados por um período de um ano, em coletas mensais. Sob cada um destes 45 indivíduos foi retirada uma amostra de solo (0,5 m x 0,5 m x 0,05 m), que foi posta a pleno sol, por oito semanas, para a avaliação da composição do banco de sementes. A regeneração natural foi avaliada na área de projeção das copas, em uma parcela circular de 2,5 m de raio, na qual se amostraram todos os indivíduos de espécies arbustivo-arbóreas de 0,3 m a 2,0 m de altura. A chuva de sementes sob M. azedarach apresentou-se com maior densidade e sob C. myxa com maior riqueza (p < 0,05). Igualmente, a maior densidade de emergentes do banco de sementes foi observada nas amostras sob M. azedarach e a maior riqueza foi observada sob C. myxa. Quanto à regeneração natural, as comunidades sob as três espécies diferenciaram-se em relação à diversidade de espécies, maior sob os indivíduos de M. azedarach, e à estrutura da comunidade, que se apresentou mais alta sob C. myxa (p < 0,05). A maior parte dos indivíduos e espécies amostradas, tanto na chuva quanto no banco e na regeneração natural, pertencem aos estágios iniciais da sucessão secundária, sendo que muitas, dentre as mais abundantes, são exóticas. As três espécies formam nichos de regeneração, permitindo a germinação e desenvolvimento de plântulas sob elas, influenciando, cada uma, na estrutura e composição das comunidades e contribuindo para a manutenção da diversidade. Por fim, alguns resultados obtidos através deste estudo são importantes para planejamento do monitoramento da área, o qual é fundamental para o emprego de medidas de intervenção, bem como para o entendimento da evolução da floresta que se forma. / The present study describes the composition of natural regeneration, seed rain and seed bank under three early species - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) – and evaluatuation of the possible differences among understory regeneration. The study area, a restored area, is located at the margins of city water reservatory at Iracemápolis (SP). For the study, 15 individuals were selected and under their crown the seed rain was monthly sampled through of the material deposited in 90 1 m x 1 m traps (two by individual). The seed bank was evaluated by 45 soil samples removed from 0,5 m x 0,5 m plots and 5 cm depth, placed under full sun for a period of eight weeks. The natural regeneration was evaluated in circular plots (17 m2), under projection of the crown , where all individuals of timber species, between 0,3 m and 2,0 m tall, were counted and identified. The seed rain under M. azedarach showed higher mean density and under C. myxa higher mean number of species (p < 0,05). Identically, the higher density of seedlings was found in soil samples under M. azedarach and higher number of species under C. myxa. For natural regeneration, the communities showed differences in species diversity, being higher under individuals of M. azedarach, and structure, under individuals of C. myxa was found higher number of seedlings (p < 0,05). The majority of individuals and species sampled is from early secondary succession species, and those species, most of them are exotics. The three species create microsites, allowing the seed germination and growth of seedling under their crowns, acting on community structure and contributing for the maintenance of diversity. Some results obtained in this study are important for projection of monitoring of this restored area, which is fundamental for intervention actions, as well as to the understanding of evolution of the forest under formation.

Fire is the primary natural disturbance vital to the ecological integrity of Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. A new provincial park planning process (i.e., Class Environmental Assessment) has required the review of Quetico’s Fire Management Plan. To support this review, large and severe (stand-replacing) Quetico fires were studied using 1966 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) forest resource inventory (FRI) mapping. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database of the FRI was created and updated with the OMNR digital fire atlas. This database was used as a time-since-fire and fire interval dataset to estimate fire frequency. It also served to archive the 1966 FRI for the largest protected area in the transition between the Boreal and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest regions. Non-parametric (Kaplan-Meier) survival analysis was used to estimate survival functions and mean fire intervals (i.e., the expected time between two consecutive stand-replacing fires for any location within the Park). Previous studies that have used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis methods have based fire frequency estimates solely on time-since-fire data. However, time-since-fire data cannot be equated with fire interval data when using non-parametric methods. At least one fire interval is required to obtain reliable results. The mean fire interval for the entire 475,782 ha Park between the years 1668 and 2007 was 230 years. Performing the analysis on various geographic and temporal partitions revealed fire frequency spatial and temporal variability. A constant (independent of time-since-fire) probability of burning was not observed for Quetico which is contrary to accepted conjecture for northwestern Ontario boreal/mixed-wood forests. A current fire cycle was also estimated for the Park (342 years) using the digital fire atlas. The results suggested that use of historical static fire frequency estimates as fire management prescriptions may not be justified given considerable fire frequency temporal variability. The observed fire frequency spatial variability suggests that studies should be undertaken at coarser scales than is the norm to characterise the regions fire regime in support of landscape level fire management planning.

Fire is the primary natural disturbance vital to the ecological integrity of Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. A new provincial park planning process (i.e., Class Environmental Assessment) has required the review of Quetico’s Fire Management Plan. To support this review, large and severe (stand-replacing) Quetico fires were studied using 1966 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) forest resource inventory (FRI) mapping. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database of the FRI was created and updated with the OMNR digital fire atlas. This database was used as a time-since-fire and fire interval dataset to estimate fire frequency. It also served to archive the 1966 FRI for the largest protected area in the transition between the Boreal and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest regions. Non-parametric (Kaplan-Meier) survival analysis was used to estimate survival functions and mean fire intervals (i.e., the expected time between two consecutive stand-replacing fires for any location within the Park). Previous studies that have used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis methods have based fire frequency estimates solely on time-since-fire data. However, time-since-fire data cannot be equated with fire interval data when using non-parametric methods. At least one fire interval is required to obtain reliable results. The mean fire interval for the entire 475,782 ha Park between the years 1668 and 2007 was 230 years. Performing the analysis on various geographic and temporal partitions revealed fire frequency spatial and temporal variability. A constant (independent of time-since-fire) probability of burning was not observed for Quetico which is contrary to accepted conjecture for northwestern Ontario boreal/mixed-wood forests. A current fire cycle was also estimated for the Park (342 years) using the digital fire atlas. The results suggested that use of historical static fire frequency estimates as fire management prescriptions may not be justified given considerable fire frequency temporal variability. The observed fire frequency spatial variability suggests that studies should be undertaken at coarser scales than is the norm to characterise the regions fire regime in support of landscape level fire management planning.